Bruce
Fiction Film (1998)
35mm • 3 Minutes • B&W
A duet for camera + dancer that challenges expectations of grace and disability.
The film features dancer Bruce Jackson and the song “We Are….” by Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell. Performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock on Sacred Ground.
Director/Cinematographer: Ruth Sergel • Editor: Juliette Olavarria • Production Design: Paul Weathered • Assistant Director: Kate Sergel Buncher • Camera Assistant: Tricia Clark • 2nd Camera Assistant: Peter Gabriel • Gaffer: Eric Neason • Best Boy: Alexi Williams • Stills: Pamela Griffiths • Props: Dominic Toto • Sound: Tim Mangin • Catering: Claudia Sidoti
Dancer: Bruce Jackson
Bruce premiered at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and aired on PBS. Selected screenings include National Museum of Women in the Arts, The Place (London), Passages (Milan), Exploratorium (San Francisco), El Infinito (Mexico), American Dance Festival, Toronto Worldwide Shorts, General Roca Festival (Argentina) and dozens of other festivals worldwide.
Lyrics for We Are… by Y.M. Barnwell ©1993:
For each child that’s born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.
We are our grandmothers’ prayers.
We are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.
We are
Mothers of courage
Fathers of time
Daughters of dust
Sons of great vision.
We are
Sisters of mercy
Brothers of love
Lovers of life and
the builders of nations.
We are
Seekers of truth
Keepers of faith
Makers of peace and
the wisdom of ages.
We are our grandmothers’ prayers.
We are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.
For each child that’s born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.
WE ARE ONE.
Photographs by Pamela Griffiths
Director/Cinematographer: Ruth Sergel • Editor: Juliette Olavarria • Production Design: Paul Weathered • Assistant Director: Kate Sergel Buncher • Camera Assistant: Tricia Clark • 2nd Camera Assistant: Peter Gabriel • Gaffer: Eric Neason • Best Boy: Alexi Williams • Stills: Pamela Griffiths • Props: Dominic Toto • Sound: Tim Mangin • Catering: Claudia Sidoti
Dancer: Bruce Jackson
Bruce premiered at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and aired on PBS. Selected screenings include National Museum of Women in the Arts, The Place (London), Passages (Milan), Exploratorium (San Francisco), El Infinito (Mexico), American Dance Festival, Toronto Worldwide Shorts, General Roca Festival (Argentina) and dozens of other festivals worldwide.
Lyrics for We Are… by Y.M. Barnwell ©1993:
For each child that’s born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.
We are our grandmothers’ prayers.
We are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.
We are
Mothers of courage
Fathers of time
Daughters of dust
Sons of great vision.
We are
Sisters of mercy
Brothers of love
Lovers of life and
the builders of nations.
We are
Seekers of truth
Keepers of faith
Makers of peace and
the wisdom of ages.
We are our grandmothers’ prayers.
We are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.
For each child that’s born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.
WE ARE ONE.
Photographs by Pamela Griffiths
